2 samuel 21:4 - The Gibeonites said to him, “It is no matter of silver or gold between us and Saul, or his house; neither is it for us to put any man to death in Israel.” He said, “Whatever you say, that I will do for you.”
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What does "2 samuel 21:4" mean?
This verse from 2 Samuel 21:4 is part of a larger narrative dealing with a famine that plagued Israel. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
Context: David is king, and a severe famine has struck the land. David seeks guidance from God, who reveals that the famine is due to Saul's breaking of an oath made by Joshua with the Gibeonites centuries earlier. The oath promised to protect the Gibeonites (Joshua 9). Saul, in his zeal to eliminate non-Israelites, had attempted to exterminate them, breaking this ancient covenant.
The Gibeonites' Response: The Gibeonites are approached by David to determine how to atone for Saul's sin. In 2 Samuel 21:4, they make two crucial points:
"It is no matter of silver or gold between us and Saul, or his house..." This means they are not seeking financial compensation or monetary reparations for the injustice they suffered. They are not motivated by greed or a desire for personal enrichment.
"...neither is it for us to put any man to death in Israel." This is perhaps the most important point. The Gibeonites are not seeking random revenge or indiscriminate killing of Israelites. They are acknowledging that taking a life is a serious matter and not something they take lightly. They understand that revenge would not solve the issue
David's Promise: David's response, "Whatever you say, that I will do for you," is a blank check. He is essentially giving the Gibeonites free rein to determine what is needed to atone for Saul's actions and appease God's wrath. He puts the responsibility for resolving the situation entirely in their hands.
In summary, the verse highlights:
The Gibeonites' restraint: They are not interested in material gain or wanton bloodshed.
The seriousness of broken oaths: The famine is a direct result of Saul violating a covenant.
David's commitment to justice: He is willing to do whatever is necessary to right the wrong and end the famine.
The complexity of justice: The following verses (2 Samuel 21:5-9) reveal that the Gibeonites request the execution of seven of Saul's descendants. This raises significant ethical questions about collective guilt, the morality of revenge, and the nature of justice in the Old Testament. This request, and David's agreement to it, is often a source of debate and discomfort for modern readers. The verse 2 Samuel 21:4 is crucial because it sets the stage for the subsequent events and the ethical dilemmas they present. It demonstrates that the Gibeonites were not driven by personal enrichment, but rather a perceived need for retribution.
2 samuel 21:4 - The Gibeonites said to him, “It is no matter of silver or gold between us and Saul, or his house; neither is it for us to put any man to death in Israel.” He said, “Whatever you say, that I will do for you.”
What does "2 samuel 21:4" mean?
This verse from 2 Samuel 21:4 is part of a larger narrative dealing with a famine that plagued Israel. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
Context: David is king, and a severe famine has struck the land. David seeks guidance from God, who reveals that the famine is due to Saul's breaking of an oath made by Joshua with the Gibeonites centuries earlier. The oath promised to protect the Gibeonites (Joshua 9). Saul, in his zeal to eliminate non-Israelites, had attempted to exterminate them, breaking this ancient covenant.
The Gibeonites' Response: The Gibeonites are approached by David to determine how to atone for Saul's sin. In 2 Samuel 21:4, they make two crucial points:
"It is no matter of silver or gold between us and Saul, or his house..." This means they are not seeking financial compensation or monetary reparations for the injustice they suffered. They are not motivated by greed or a desire for personal enrichment.
"...neither is it for us to put any man to death in Israel." This is perhaps the most important point. The Gibeonites are not seeking random revenge or indiscriminate killing of Israelites. They are acknowledging that taking a life is a serious matter and not something they take lightly. They understand that revenge would not solve the issue
David's Promise: David's response, "Whatever you say, that I will do for you," is a blank check. He is essentially giving the Gibeonites free rein to determine what is needed to atone for Saul's actions and appease God's wrath. He puts the responsibility for resolving the situation entirely in their hands.
In summary, the verse highlights:
The Gibeonites' restraint: They are not interested in material gain or wanton bloodshed.
The seriousness of broken oaths: The famine is a direct result of Saul violating a covenant.
David's commitment to justice: He is willing to do whatever is necessary to right the wrong and end the famine.
The complexity of justice: The following verses (2 Samuel 21:5-9) reveal that the Gibeonites request the execution of seven of Saul's descendants. This raises significant ethical questions about collective guilt, the morality of revenge, and the nature of justice in the Old Testament. This request, and David's agreement to it, is often a source of debate and discomfort for modern readers. The verse 2 Samuel 21:4 is crucial because it sets the stage for the subsequent events and the ethical dilemmas they present. It demonstrates that the Gibeonites were not driven by personal enrichment, but rather a perceived need for retribution.